Hey!

Hope you are enjoying these last days of the year. As you know, I’m taking just a little bit of time off. There will be no early release of the full audio episode this week.

Buuuuut, that doesn’t mean I can’t release an excerpt 😉 Hope you enjoy!

Sigrid

“Oh, hi dear. Back already?” Lucile said.

“I see you’ve met Lorrie and John,” Hannah replied.

Lucile’s eyebrows lifted. She tilted her head apologetically.

“Not quite. We had not gotten to the introduction part yet. We were just talking about tonight’s performance,” she said.

John and Lorrie nodded, looking a bit confused.

“Oh,” Hannah stammered, “Well, let me introduce you then. Mother, these are Lorrie and John. They’re Milly’s parents.”

Lucile’s eyes widened. She quickly recovered, though.

“It is wonderful to meet you,” she said. “Congratulations on your daughter’s exceptional performance.”

John and Lorrie beamed.

“Thank you,” Milly’s mother said quietly.

Hannah’s hand was resting on her mother’s back.

“This is my mother Lucile.”

It was John and Lorrie’s turn to look stunned.

“Oh my goodness,” Lorrie croaked, “What an honour to meet you, Mrs. Leroy.”

“My wife loves your chocolates,” John said clumsily.

Lorrie gave him one of her typical, annoyed looks.

Hannah chuckled. Lucile smiled gratefully.

“I am so glad. I, in turn, am a great fan of your daughter.”

Lorrie looked like she was going to burst with pride.

“Thank you,” she said, grabbing John’s arm for support.

Hannah looked around to see where Milly was.

She found her standing just a few feet away, staring at them in shock.

Suzanne had linked her arm with Milly’s. She was also looking at them, but with an amused expression on her face.

“There she is now,” Lucile said and gestured at Milly.

It made everyone turn and smile at Milly, leaving her no choice but to let go of Suzanne and join them.

Hannah noticed Milly was able to plaster a confident grin on her face in less than a second.

“Good evening,” Milly said. “It’s an honour to meet you, Mrs. Emsworth-Leroy.”

“Likewise, Miss North,” Lucile replied.

“I was just introducing my mother to your parents,” Hannah said.

Milly nodded. “Wonderful!”

John clapped his hands together. “I could really use a refreshment.”

Lorrie arched an eyebrow. Hannah bit her lip. She thought John’s clumsiness was adorable.

“Good evening,” Suzanne said, joining the group, all confidence and charm.

“Good evening, Miss Breckner,” Lucile said. “It is wonderful to meet you.”

Suzanne shook Lucile’s hand with a slight bow of her head. “The honour is mine, Mrs. Emsworth-Leroy.”

Hannah had to stop herself from rolling her eyes.

“I was unaware you would be attending tonight. What a delightful surprise,” Suzanne said.

Lucile smiled politely. “It was a rather spontaneous decision.”

John grinned. “For us too! We bought our tickets this morning.”

Lucile nodded enthusiastically. Hannah saw her mother quickly focus back on Suzanne, though.

“Terrific. And now you have a bit of a family gathering,” Suzanne said, with her arms raised and a brilliant smile on her face.

Lucile raised a perfectly maintained eyebrow. John and Lorrie glanced at each other in confusion.

Hannah wanted to give Suzanne an elbow in the ribs.

“Yes,” she said to break the silence. “Our opera family, I guess.”

There were confused looks all around now.

“You know,” Hannah added, “The foundation and all.” She gestured at Milly. “We’re all here to support Milly.”

Milly looked like she needed some support alright. Her cheeks were pale and her eyes betrayed extreme discomfort.

“Yes, of course,” Suzanne said as she patted Milly’s arm.

“We are indeed proud Milly is part of our foundation’s family,” Lucile said.

Hannah picked up a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Suzanne was quick to reply. “Yes, it does seem like you are all very close.”

Hannah flinched. She hated the game Suzanne was playing. Because that’s what it was.

John was frowning and looking at his daughter for a clue, no doubt wondering what was going on here.

Hannah had to find a way to stop all of this. Right now.

Much to her surprise, Lucile was the one to intervene.

“Miss Breckner, I’d love to hear about your next production,” she said smoothly.

Suzanne folded her hands together.

“Oh, I am off to…”

“Please,” Lucile interrupted her. “Let’s find a private spot for a moment.” She turned to Lorrie and John. “Please do excuse us.”

Hannah watched her mother link arms with Suzanne and pull her away rather abruptly. Her mouth opened in surprise.

Milly blew out a breath of relief.

“What was that?!” Lorrie asked.

Hannah shook her head as she watched Lucile nearly push Suzanne into a corner. She loved her mother to bits right now.

“Well, ehm,” Milly hesitated.

Hannah’s eyes quickly focused back on Milly’s face. Something told her Milly was about to say something important.

Their gazes met. There was a question in Milly’s eyes. Hannah had no idea what it was, though. She raised her eyebrows.

That’s it! The full episode will pop in your podcast player on January 2nd!